Power earns first IndyCar win of 2022 at Belle Isle

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©IndyCar

Will Power combined his speed with Team Penske's flawless strategy to win his first IndyCar race of 2022 and the last at Detroit's Belle Isle venue.

Power, who started the event a lowly P16, relied on a two-stop strategy to pull himself up the running order on the bumpy and narrow track, but had to cautiously nurse his Firestone alternate tyres in the last 20 laps, which allowed Andretti Autosport's Alex Rossi to close in on the Aussie in the closing laps.

But Power preserved his edge all the way to the checkered flag to conquer his 41st IndyCar victory with a one-second advantage over Rossi.

"I just drove it as straight as I could, never put any slip in it," Power told NBC. "I was just driving it really straight and really nice on the brakes and throttle.

"I knew that if I could keep a reasonable gap to the end I’d be OK, but I was a bit worried because I saw how badly [the reds] die, but there was a lot of rubber on the track at the end.

"A stellar job by the team and a very enjoyable race as I chopped through the field, fighting hard, and good passing."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.